Fiery big rig crash injurs driver
INDUSTRY -- A big rig fire overturned and burst into flames on the 60 Freeway near Industry Saturday, sending the driver to the hospital with burns and prompting the closure of a transition road for more than six hours, authorities said.
The incident occurred just after 5:20 a.m. on the westbound 60 Freeway at the 605 Freeway, in an unincorporated county area near Industry, California Highway Patrol Officer Anthony Martin said.
The truck driver, a man of about 60 years old, suffered third-degree burns to one of his arms and was taken to Los Angeles County-USC Medical Center for treatment, Los Angeles County Fire Department Capt. Ruben Torrez said.
The big rig apparently struck an abandoned vehicle, went over an embankment and caught fire, fire officials said.
By the time the flames were extinguished, "There was nothing left of the truck at all," Torrez said. It was unclear what, if any, cargo the truck carried.
According to CHP logs, and motorists were initially driving backwards on the northbound 605 Freeway transition road to the westbound 60 Freeway to avoid the fire.
The transition road was closed for more than six hours as officials checked for fire damage on a bridge passing over the 605 Freeway, Martin said.
The fire spread to nearby grass, authorities said, but firefighters quickly doused those flames.
The incident occurred just after 5:20 a.m. on the westbound 60 Freeway at the 605 Freeway, in an unincorporated county area near Industry, California Highway Patrol Officer Anthony Martin said.
The truck driver, a man of about 60 years old, suffered third-degree burns to one of his arms and was taken to Los Angeles County-USC Medical Center for treatment, Los Angeles County Fire Department Capt. Ruben Torrez said.
The big rig apparently struck an abandoned vehicle, went over an embankment and caught fire, fire officials said.
By the time the flames were extinguished, "There was nothing left of the truck at all," Torrez said. It was unclear what, if any, cargo the truck carried.
According to CHP logs, and motorists were initially driving backwards on the northbound 605 Freeway transition road to the westbound 60 Freeway to avoid the fire.
The transition road was closed for more than six hours as officials checked for fire damage on a bridge passing over the 605 Freeway, Martin said.
The fire spread to nearby grass, authorities said, but firefighters quickly doused those flames.
CONTRIBUTORS
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| Frank Girardot, Metro Editor for the San Gabriel Valley Newspapers, brings you behind the yellow tape with takes on true crime, cold cases and more. This is also your forum to discuss crime, its impact on your neighborhood and how we cover it. Have any questions or tips? You can leave a comment here or e-mail Frank. |
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Brian Day is the crime reporter for the San Gabriel Valley Newspaper group. E-mail Brian. |
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